Nick Halley | |
---|---|
Background information | |
Birth name | Nicholas Halley |
Born | New York, New York, United States | November 28, 1982
Occupation(s) | Choral Director, Percussionist, Drummer, Keyboardist |
Website | nickhalley.com |
Nicholas Halley (born November 28, 1982) is a drummer/percussionist, keyboardist, composer, and choral conductor based in Nova Scotia, Canada[1]. Halley is the Founder and Artistic Director of Capella Regalis Choirs[2], and Assistant Director of Music at the Cathedral Church of All Saints, Halifax[3]. Nick Halley is the son of Paul Halley, a Grammy Award-winning composer, choral conductor, and organist at the Cathedral Church of All Saints[4].
Early Life and Education
editHalley was born in New York City, and was raised on the grounds of the city's Cathedral of St. John the Divine, where his father, Paul Halley, was Director of Music[5]. The Rev'd James Parks Morton, the Dean of the Cathedral at that time had turned the Cathedral into a cultural destination[6], and Halley benefited from the variety of music presented at the Cathedral, from sacred choral to contemporary jazz and African dance[7]. In high school, Halley majored in jazz and classical percussion at the Interlochen Arts Academy in Michigan, and spent a year training and performing in Brazil[8]. Halley attended The New School University's jazz and contemporary music program, where he studied under Amir Ziv, Billy Hart, and Jamey Haddad[9].
Career
editChoral Conductor
editFrom 2005-2008 Halley worked as the assistant director of Chorus Angelicus, an acclaimed children's choir, and Gaudeamus, a professional adult chamber choir, both founded by his father, Paul Halley[10]. During this time, he performed as a conductor at Tanglewood’s Ozawa Hall, Boston Symphony Hall, the Cathedral of St. John the Divinein New York, as well as on national and international tours[11].
In 2008, Halley moved to Halifax, Nova Scotia, to continue studying from his father, Paul Halley who moved to Nova Scotia to become Director of Music at the University of King's College, St. George's Round Church, and the Atlantic School of Theology[12]. As an apprentice to his father, Halley continued to develop his musical life, focusing on developing skills in liturgical music, pipe organ and choral direction[13].
From 2008-2021, Halley was the Assistant Director of Music at the University of King's College in Halifax[14]. Working together with his father who was Director of Music at the College[15], they expanded the chapel music programme, initiated choral scholarships for students, and directed the King's College Chapel Choir[16]. The King's College Chapel Choir performed in weekly Evensongs and Choral Eucharists at the college chapel as well as the 'King's at the Cathedral' concert series (begun in 2008) of choral masterworks at the Cathedral Church of All Saints in Halifax[17].
In 2010, Halley founded The King's Chorus, a choral ensemble of 60-80 singers for students at King's College, Dalhousie University and community members[18]. Under his direction, the King's Chorus performed two concerts a year, often with hired guest soloists and a chamber orchestra, including choral masterworks such as Mozart’s Solemn Vespers, Haydn’s Missa in Tempore Belli, Lauridsen’s Lux Aeterna, Britten’s St. Nicolas, Handel’s Coronation Anthems, Chandos Anthems, Dettingen Te Deum, etc., C.P.E. Bach’s Magnificat, Vivaldi’s Gloria, and various Bach cantatas[19]. Halley directed The King's Chorus from 2010-2021[20].
Halley is perhaps most well known for his work as the Founder and Artistic Director of Capella Regalis Choirs, a Canadian charity and performing arts organization based in Halifax, Nova Scotia[21]. Capella Regalis, offers a unique and free musical education and professional-level performance training program to children and young adults[22][23][24]. Founded as the Capella Regalis Men & Boys Choir in 2010, Halley build upon the best aspects of the centuries-old European tradition of church choirs and to revitalize this method of music training in Canada[25]. Capella Regalis now comprises a Boys Choir, Girls Choir[26][27], and professional Men's Choir. These choirs sing regularly at the Cathedral Church of All Saints, Halifax, in Choral Evensong as part of the Cathedral's Sundays at Four series[28], perform concerts throughout Nova Scotia and beyond, and have released a number of albums, and video performances on YouTube[29].
For the 2013-14 season, Halley was the Host of CBC’s national radio program, Choral Concert[30].
In 2015, Halley became the Assistant Director of Music at the Cathedral Church of All Saints, Halifax[31].
Percussionist
editIn addition to his work as a choral conductor, Halley pursued a career as a percussionist, keyboardist, and drummer. Most notably, he has performed with American musical icon James Taylor on several occasions as a drummer in his band[32]. Halley has also performed with The Mormon Tabernacle Choir (2013), at the Newport Folk Festival (2015), at the Save The Children's Centennial Celebration (2019)[33], and for various private parties.
Halley has also performed and recorded internationally with a wide range of artists such as Oscar Castro-Neves, Dinuk Wijeratne[34], Suzie LeBlanc[35], Paul Halley, Theresa Thomason, David McGuinness & Revenge of the Folk Singers, Concerto Caledonia, Jefferson Hamer & Eamon O’Leary, Old Man Luedecke[36] & Tim O’Brien, the Chris Norman Ensemble, Viradouro Escola de Samba, Nazih Borish Trio[37], and the Nick Halley Band. He has directed workshops in percussion, music theory, and Brazilian, North African, and South Indian rhythm at Boxwood Festival[38], Aldeburgh Festival, Interlochen Summer Festival, and Lunenburg Academy of Music Performance[39].
In July 2008, Halley released his debut recording, 'Barnum Hill', featuring the Nick Halley Band (Matt Brewer, Richard Baughman, Adam Niewood, Greg Ruggiero and others) and Halley's original compositions[40].
Awards
editIn 2012, Halley was awarded the Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal in recognition of his contribution to Canada and Nova Scotia through the arts, particularly for his work with Capella Regalis Men & Boys Choir[41].
Discography
edit- 1991: Paul Halley "Angel on a Stone Wall"[42] – percussionist
- 1994: Chorus Angelicus "Voices of Light"[43] – singer
- 1995: Chorus Angelicus/Gaudeamus "Christmas Angelicus"[44] – singer
- 1996: Gaudeamus "Sacred Feast"[45] – singer
- 1998: Theresa Thomason "Sound Over All Waters"[46] – singer, percussionist
- 2004: Chris Norman "In the Fields in Frost and Snow"[47] – percussionist
- 2006: Justin Mather "One Pillow"[48] – drummer, keyboardist, arranger
- 2006: Chorus Angelicus & Gaudeamus "What Child is This?"[49] – singer
- 2008: Nick Halley "Barnum Hill"[50] – composer, arranger, drummer, percussionist, keyboardist
- 2011: Concerto Caledonia "Revenge of the Folksingers"[51] – percussionist, singer
- 2013: University of King's College Chapel Choir "Let Us Keep the Feast"[52] – conductor, singer
- 2013: Papilio "First Flight"[53] – percussionist
- 2014: Suzie LeBlanc "La Veillée de Noël"[54] – percussionist
- 2014: Capella Regalis "My Eyes for Beauty Pine"[55] – conductor, singer
- 2015: Old Man Luedecke "Domestic Eccentric" (ECMA winner)[56] – drummer, singer
- 2017: Paul Halley & Keramion Singers "In the Wide Awe and Wisdom" – conductor, singer
- 2017: Capella Regalis "Greater Love"[57] – conductor, singer
- 2019: Capella Regalis "Love Came Down: Carols for Christmas"[58] – conductor, singer
Notable YouTube Recordings
edit- 2023: Heinrich Schütz's Musikalische Exequien (1635) - Capella Regalis Men & Boys Choir and the Choir of the Cathedral Church of All Saints Halifax[59] - tenor soloist
- 2021: M. Duruflé's Requiem (Op. 9) - University of King's College Chapel Choir, dir. Paul Halley[60] - conductor, singer
- 2021: J.S. Bach 'Christ lag in Todesbanden' (BWV 4) - Capella Regalis Men & Boys Choir[61] - conductor
- 2019: Benjamin Britten's A Ceremony of Carols - Capella Regalis Men & Boys Choir[62]- conductor
- 2017: Monteverdi's Vespers of 1610 - University of King's College Chapel Choir, dir. Paul Halley[63] – singer
External Links
editReferences
edit- ^ "Nick Halley | ATMA Classique". atmaclassique.com (in French). Retrieved 2024-11-01.
- ^ "Our Team | Capella Regalis Choirs". capellaregalis.com. Retrieved 2024-11-01.
- ^ "Our Team | About | Cathedral Church of All Saints, Halifax". www.cathedralchurchofallsaints.com. Retrieved 2024-11-01.
- ^ "Paul Halley Music - Classical music composed by Paul Halley and home of the Halley Quartet". Paul Halley Music | Classical music composed by Paul Halley. Retrieved 2024-11-01.
- ^ "Our History". www.cathedralnyc.org. Retrieved 2024-11-01.
- ^ Goldman, Ari L. (January 7, 2020). "James Parks Morton, Dean Who Brought a Cathedral to Life, Dies at 89". The New York Times.
{{cite news}}
: CS1 maint: url-status (link) - ^ Jazz, All About (2008-11-15). "Jazz news: Nick Halley Releases Debut Recording". All About Jazz. Retrieved 2024-11-01.
- ^ Jazz, All About (2008-11-15). "Nick Halley Musician - All About Jazz". All About Jazz Musicians. Retrieved 2024-11-01.
- ^ "Other Artists". www.pelagosmusic.com. Retrieved 2024-11-01.
- ^ Robb, Peter. "Music and Beyond: The musical journey of Paul Halley – ARTSFILE". Retrieved 2024-11-01.
- ^ "About | Chorus Angelicus | Children's Choir". Chorus Angelicus. Retrieved 2024-11-01.
- ^ Hinman, Suzanne (July 25, 2017). "Paul Halley Leaving For Canada". Norfolk Now. Retrieved 2024-11-01.
{{cite web}}
: CS1 maint: url-status (link) - ^ McIntyre, Evan. "Nick's Halleyfax: from Bebop to Bach". The Coast Halifax. Retrieved 2024-11-01.
- ^ "Nick Halley". Chamberfest. Retrieved 2024-11-01.
- ^ "Paul Halley". www.pelagosmusic.com. Retrieved 2024-11-01.
- ^ "Concerts | University of King's College". University of Kings College | Halifax, Nova Scotia. Retrieved 2024-11-01.
- ^ https://static1.squarespace.com/static/570702b940261d93b3945039/t/5722189e859fd0c698eabdd9/1461852327386/Annual+Report+2014-2015.pdf
- ^ McIntyre, Evan. "Nick's Halleyfax: from Bebop to Bach". The Coast Halifax. Retrieved 2024-11-01.
- ^ "Concerts". The King's Chorus. Retrieved 2024-11-01.
- ^ "The King's Chorus". The King's Chorus. Retrieved 2024-11-01.
- ^ "About Capella Regalis | Capella Regalis Choirs". capellaregalis.com. Retrieved 2024-11-02.
- ^ Griffin, Hannah (June 2021). "Capella Regalis Men & Boys Choir instills a lifelong love of church music in its choristers" (PDF). Disocean Times. Retrieved November 1, 2024.
{{cite news}}
: CS1 maint: url-status (link) - ^ Cooke, Stephen (June 29, 2023). "Capella Regalis choir makes powerful connection to Christmas past and present".
{{cite news}}
: CS1 maint: url-status (link) - ^ Bell, Cheryl (May 2011). "Capella Regalis Men & Boys Choir: Learning from a great musical tradition" (PDF). Disocean Times.
{{cite news}}
: CS1 maint: url-status (link) - ^ "Capella Regalis: Highlights from Founding to Present | Capella Regalis Choirs". capellaregalis.com. Retrieved 2024-11-02.
- ^ Douglas, Jeff (August 2022). "Capella Regalis creates new girls choir". CBC Listen. Retrieved November 1, 2024.
{{cite news}}
: CS1 maint: url-status (link) - ^ Mullin, Morgan. "Halifax's Capella Regalis Men & Boys Choir launches new, free program for girls". The Coast Halifax. Retrieved 2024-11-01.
- ^ "Music | Cathedral Church of All Saints, Halifax". www.cathedralchurchofallsaints.com. Retrieved 2024-11-01.
- ^ "Capella Regalis (Men & Boys Choir) - Short History". www.bach-cantatas.com. Retrieved 2024-11-01.
- ^ "Choral Bytes". choralbytes.blogspot.com. Retrieved 2024-11-01.
- ^ "Music | Cathedral Church of All Saints, Halifax". www.cathedralchurchofallsaints.com. Retrieved 2024-11-02.
- ^ "Nick Halley". Chamberfest. Retrieved 2024-11-01.
- ^ "Save The Children: The Centennial Celebration". JamesTaylor.com. Retrieved 2024-11-02.
- ^ "Dinuk Wijeratne and friends' The Journeyed Compass searches for the meaning of home through music". Stir. 2023-04-28. Retrieved 2024-11-01.
- ^ "La Veillée de Noël". www.nickhalley.com. Retrieved 2024-11-02.
- ^ "Old Man Luedecke Explores 'Domestic Eccentric,' Streams New Album │ Exclaim!". Old Man Luedecke Explores 'Domestic Eccentric,' Streams New Album │ Exclaim!. Retrieved 2024-11-01.
- ^ "FMA 2023: "From Damascus to Montreal", a conversation with Nazih Borish – PAN M 360". panm360.com. Retrieved 2024-11-01.
- ^ Norman, Chris (2022-03-26). "Nick HALLEY". Boxwood Festivals. Retrieved 2024-11-02.
- ^ "Summer Jazz Series". Lunenburg Academy of Music Performance. 2024-07-05. Retrieved 2024-11-02.
- ^ "Barnum Hill". nickhalley.com. Retrieved 2024-11-02.
- ^ "Nick Halley". The Governor General of Canada. Retrieved 2024-11-01.
- ^ "Angel On A Stone Wall". www.pelagosmusic.com. Retrieved 2024-11-01.
- ^ "Voices of Light CD". www.pelagosmusic.com. Retrieved 2024-11-01.
- ^ "Christmas Angelicus CD". www.pelagosmusic.com. Retrieved 2024-11-01.
- ^ "Sacred Feast CD". www.pelagosmusic.com. Retrieved 2024-11-01.
- ^ "Sound Over All Waters CD". www.pelagosmusic.com. Retrieved 2024-11-01.
- ^ In The Fields In Frost And Snow, 2006-10-18, retrieved 2024-11-01
- ^ One Pillow by Justin Mather on Apple Music, 2006-01-23, retrieved 2024-11-01
- ^ "What Child Is This CD". www.pelagosmusic.com. Retrieved 2024-11-01.
- ^ "Barnum Hill". nickhalley.com. Retrieved 2024-11-01.
- ^ "Concerto Caledonia - Revenge of the Folksingers". concal.org. Retrieved 2024-11-01.
- ^ "Let Us Keep the Feast". King's College Chapel. Retrieved 2024-11-01.
- ^ "Papilio". Papilio. Retrieved 2024-11-01.
- ^ "La Veillée de Noël | Suzie LeBlanc". suzieleblanc.com (in French). 2020-06-26. Retrieved 2024-11-01.
- ^ "Audio Recordings | Capella Regalis Choirs". capellaregalis.com. Retrieved 2024-11-01.
- ^ "Rolling Stone's top songwriters list prioritizes hits over lyricism". The Globe and Mail. 2015-09-02. Retrieved 2024-11-01.
- ^ "Audio Recordings | Capella Regalis Choirs". capellaregalis.com. Retrieved 2024-11-01.
- ^ "Audio Recordings | Capella Regalis Choirs". capellaregalis.com. Retrieved 2024-11-01.
- ^ Capella Regalis (2021-05-01). J.S. Bach BWV 4 'Christ lag in Todesbanden'. Retrieved 2024-11-01 – via YouTube.
- ^ University of King's College Chapel Choir (2021-04-10). M. Duruflé REQUIEM (Op. 9) - University of King's College Chapel Choir, Paul Halley, Nick Halley. Retrieved 2024-11-01 – via YouTube.
- ^ Capella Regalis (2021-05-01). J.S. Bach BWV 4 'Christ lag in Todesbanden'. Retrieved 2024-11-01 – via YouTube.
- ^ Capella Regalis (2019-12-24). Capella Regalis, A Ceremony of Carols - To Bethlehem With Kings 2019. Retrieved 2024-11-01 – via YouTube.
- ^ University of King's College Chapel Choir (2017-07-31). Monteverdi's Vespers of 1610. Retrieved 2024-11-01 – via YouTube.